Around 8,000 people, according to the prefect of Indre, Thibault Lanxade, participated, Saturday May 4 in Châteauroux, in a white march in tribute to young Matisse, 15, killed by a teenager of the same age on April 27.
The white march covered symbolic places in Matisse’s life, including his elementary school, his father’s restaurant and the one in which the teenager did his apprenticeship.
At the head of the procession, the banner “Matisse, a real nice guy”, in pink (his favorite color) was displayed with a photo of him and a football. Some people wore t-shirts with otters, a reference to Matisse’s nickname given by his father, Christophe Marchais.
“We all have a connection with this family”
The businesses were almost all closed and many had a photo of the teenager or an otter in their window. The need to do ” something “ has become essential for catering professionals in Châteauroux, explains Delphine Chambonneau, owner of the Albert Coffee Shop, located in the city center.
“We all know each other. We all have a connection with this family”explains Mme Chambonneau, while a t-shirt with the words “restaurateurs and cafe owners united in pain/Rest in peace Matisse” was made. The day of Sunday April 28, the day after the tragedy, was particularly difficult, continues Mme Chambonneau. “All the customers were starting to cry. »
The march ended shortly after 4:30 p.m. with a release of balloons, while those close to Matisse embraced during a time of contemplation. Hundreds of white or pink roses were left in front of Matisse’s father’s restaurant. “This tribute took place calmly and with dignity”underlined the Indre prefecture, in a press release sent to Agence France-Presse.
Despite the call, in particular, from Matisse’s father to guard against any political exploitation, Friday evening, a small ultra-right group displayed banners in front of the town hall: “Justice for Matisse”, “French Awake”. According to the prefect of Indre, Thibault Lanxade, the operation was ” very fast “. “There were around ten of them. They unfurled their banners and left”. The action was claimed by the small group Animus Fortis.
A teenager and his mother indicted
The teenager died from his injuries on April 27, after several stab wounds during a “brawl” that occurred in the Saint-Denis district, according to the Bourges public prosecutor. His alleged attacker was indicted Monday evening for murder and placed in pre-trial detention. His mother, aged 37 and suspected of having “slapped the victim” injured, she was indicted for “intentional violence against a vulnerable person”.
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The Afghan nationality of the two indicted – in a regular situation in France – has led several figures from the right and the extreme right to denounce the “migratory policy” of the government.
On social networks and in encrypted messaging loops, photos of the suspect, his parents and links to his personal accounts were shared, AFP noted. Considering “pressures” and the presence of “very young children” within this family, the prefect of Indre assured AFP that “means were implemented to secure them from Thursday evening”.
“Let’s not mix everything up,” asks Matisse’s father
For several days, Matisse’s father, Christophe Marchais, has nevertheless called for restraint: “Let’s not mix everything up. Pay attention to all the right-wing parties or elsewhere who appropriate this type of thing”he declared on RTL.
Family “does not want us to talk about immigration, to talk about nationality. It’s not something that resembles them”reported, for his part, the mayor of Châteauroux, Gil Avérous, Monday, during a press conference.
To avoid any excess during the tribute, the prefecture had decided to “reinforcement of a CRS company” alongside the gendarmes and police officers of the department, the holding of “checks on motorway exits and entrances to the Châteauroux urban area”.
Furthermore, the prefect of Tarn issued an order banning demonstrations on Sunday in Albi, a small far-right group having announced a gathering in tribute to Matisse, and the local FSU having called for a counter-demonstration.